Jul
29
2022
Since MBS owns the planes, at least he doesn’t have to pay extra for checked bags.
7 planes, 700 staff, 350 limousines and 180 suitcases: How Saudi Arabia’s Ruler Travels
Commentary
Category Archives for Commentary.
How Uber Started To Suck
Jul
15
2022
Uber’s public relations disasters were myriad five years ago. Drivers hated them. Story after story came out about their hubris, their regulatory problems, and their toxic workplace culture.
They’ve turned around that narrative, but the narrative now is that they’re just no longer a great product. They’re on demand transportation that’s often more expensive than a cab. They’re deliver for cold food that takes too long and now often makes stops between picking up your meal and bringing it to you. And they’re very little else.
Should Pregnant Women Boycott Travel To Republican States After The Supreme Court Abortion Ruling?
Jun
26
2022
One common point I’ve seen made since the Supreme Court’s abortion ruling is that pregnant women shouldn’t travel to Red States. But some Red States have constitutional protection for abortion!
Are travel warnings common for Europe, where abortion laws are generally more restrictive than in the U.S.?
The FAA As Shakedown Artist: Why The U.S. Can’t Build Great Things Anymore
Jun
15
2022
The U.S. takes longer to build projects, and spends more to build similar projects, than other countries. A new example from the FAA is a great illustration of why. Here’s what the FAA has required from SpaceX to move forward with its Starship rocket program – and the government is actually bragging about it in a press release.
Why Uber Is Great And Airbnb Is Awful
Jun
12
2022
It’s easy to forget how awful taxis were when Uber burst onto the scene. You couldn’t request cars by app, you couldn’t see where they were or know when they’d arrive, and you couldn’t track your rides. Cabs were usually in terrible condition (with regulated prices and limited numbers of cabs, it made no sense to invest in the product because doing so didn’t help a business earn more). And you had the whole payment process thing at the end of the ride rather than just getting out of the car.
Ethical Conflicts Writing This Blog
Jun
11
2022
Frequent Miler writes that he accepted complimentary Diamond status from IHG and Spirit Airlines Gold status. Those companies wanted to influence his coverage, but the perks helped him cover those experiences. He was offered free IHG One Rewards points and Milestone Rewards so he could better cover the new program as well.
I figured this was a good opportunity to re-iterate my own position.
What’s The Line Between Fraud And Scaling A Deal?
Jun
07
2022
Sometimes when you talk to airline or hotel employees that work in loyalty fraud they seem to think that a customer benefiting ‘too much’ (being unprofitable) is the definition of fraud. They’re in their own bubble, and they’re probably doing their own programs a disservice.
Too much is often considered – or a flag for – fraud within the loyalty industry. But that doesn’t mean there’s not real fraud.
Top Gun: Maverick, A Soulless Remake That’s Great For Aviation Geeks And America
Jun
01
2022
It’s been 36 years since Top Gun. The house where Tom Cruise seduced his flight instructor, Kelly McGillis, is now a pie shop on the grounds of Hyatt’s Mission Pacific hotel.
Now it’s been rebooted and aviation geeks may find it “two thumbs up, five stars, and a must-see.” It’s close-up aviation scenes and cinematography. That’s also all it is [very few spoilers].
Holy Moly, I’ve Been Writing This Site For 20 Years
May
13
2022
I started blogging one weekend day in May 2002 on a lark. I had several friends with blogs back then, and I thought I’d try my hand at it. Only I didn’t have anything truly original to say on politics and current events, which is what other blogs I knew about were doing. So I decided to write about travel and miles and points along with an eclectic amalgamation of offbeat news. I focused on what people came to me for help with and just things that amused me. I was writing for myself, not for anyone else.
“Bleisure” Travel Used To Be A Hopeful Myth. The Pandemic Made It Real.
Apr
22
2022
“Bleisure” is one of the most cringe-worthy words in travel. Journalists have been doing ‘trend pieces’ on business travelers extending their trips and adding leisure days, perhaps with family, and hotels chains started getting excited about selling extra room nights (and offering the ability to combine points stays and paid nights in a single reservation).
Only it never really took over beyond a certain threshold, no matter how much people in the industry talked it up at conferences. Maybe, though, all it took was a pandemic.
